California 2004
Here we are in San Diego at the Navy's Admiral Baker Field RV Park, 3152 miles from home and our turn around point. When we leave here, we'll be heading home by a some what different route ,taking us yet to new sights and experiences on our Snowbird 2004 Adventure .
Arriving in San Diego, it was refreshing to see trees and grass- something we haven't really seen in many weeks! Driving along I-8 we saw great sand dunes, fertile farm land, and crossed 4000'mountins on a 6% grade. The Ram did well!
We have enjoyed being with Jim's Family. After brunch on the 22 of February, Rose feed the ducks. Here are the oldest and youngest members of our family. We couldn't believe the price of gasoline here in San Diego!
The view from Point Loma is spectacular! Patricia was really impressed with San Diego. The original light house atop of 422' Point Loma was replaced with a light much lower because of clouds and fog on top of Point Loma.
The court yard flowers in Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, California's first church built in 1769, were beautiful!
While admiring the Pacific Ocean from our restaurant window in Ocean Beach, San Diego, the surf was up a little further down the beach.
On Saturday 28 February, Jim and Ann took us around San Diego to see some of the sights. After a lunch of excellent fish sandwiches at the harbor side Point Loma Seafood, we went to the Pacific Rim Park on Shelter Island- beautiful! We saw James Hubbell's sculpture "Pearl of the Pacific." Next we went to the Children's Pool (where the seals have taken over) and The Cove in La Jolla. Next was a special treat at the Torey Pines Glide port where we saw hang gliders, para sails, and gliders soaring over the Pacific and into the sunset. The day was capped off with a wonderful dinner at the Torrey Pines Lodge Grill.
On Sunday, Ann and Lou came down from Los Angles for a cook-out at Jim's. It's rare to have so many brothers together at one time.
At the San Diego Zoo, we were greeted by the Flamingos. Naturally we saw the famous Pandas. Using the Tour Bus, Express Bus, Skyfari Tram, and "hoofing it", we saw a good portion of the zoo during our five hour visit. The Warthog was an interesting character.
We went back to La Jolla; the coastline is beautiful, even the colors are enhanced by "FUG FILM." The sidewalk along the ocean front in La Jolla has pieces of Abalone Shells imbedded in the concrete as well as Abalone Shells mounted in fence post. The seals were still sunning themselves and pups nursing. Fish in the Birch Aquarium at Scripps were colorful and in the tidal pool we saw brightly colored starfish.
During a 300 mile day trip we crossed mountains with very large boulders ever where and saw the depressing fire damage from last years wild fires. In the small mountain town of Julian we purchased apple pies. There were wild flowers blooming in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park where we picnicked under the palm trees. Having seen this land from the air, we now know what it looks like up close.
We closed our California trip with dinner at Jim and Ann's on Friday the 5th. We certainly did enjoy being with them and Rose and there generous hospitality. Now it's time to wind down Snowbird 2004 and start the trip home. Patricia captured this Blue Bird that was with us during our stay in San Diego.
San Diego’s climate has been ideal and the scenery boarders between spectacular and breath taking, especially along the coast. There is a lot to see and do, and a visit to this beautiful city is not discouraged. So much for the superlatives! Jack thought that there seemed to be tension hanging in the air. Maybe it is because there are so many people packed into the valleys, canyons, gorges, cliffs, hill sides, and mountain tops in their median priced $460, 000 homes. All of them seem to be in a hurry to go some where on their numerous 65 MPH Interstates and Freeways. Nevertheless, it is costing them to be on the go with gasoline selling like hot cakes for $2.35/ gallon, highest in the nation at this time! Also, there is no shortage of hearing and seeing how terrible the city and state financial situations are. Naturally, the politicians will fix everything in paradise. The best view of San Diego was in the rear view mirror!
